Merry Edwards approaches life with graceful intensity. Now in the fifth decade of her winemaking career, Merry has earned the universal respect of winemaking peers, grape growers and academicians.

At home in the Russian River Valley since 1977, Merry Edwards has explored its hills, pockets, slopes and hollows, discovering small sites where choosing the right rootstock, clone and farming techniques can produce exceptional grapes. This led her in 1996 to purchase land in the Sebastopol Hills region of Russian River Valley.

Located on western benchland of the Santa Rosa Plain, Olivet Lane produces grapes coveted by the finest winemakers in Sonoma County. This heritage property is one of the oldest existing Pinot vineyards in the appellation and has been widely recognized as a prime example of the classic style of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. The land has well-drained, gravelly, clay loam soil and a cool Region I climate. The Martini clone of Pinot, selected for this site, is recognized today as uniquely reflecting the classic features of the appellation’s terroir. She has produced a single vineyard bottling from Olivet Lane every year since founding the Merry Edwards brand in 1997.

This is an exceptional, standout vintage from Olivet Lane vineyard. Its forward aroma is plush with cherry, berry cordial and black currant jam, all wrapped in a sumptuous coat of rich, toasty oak. Sidelights of perfumed rose petals, sweet vanilla and milk chocolate act as a counterpoint to its fruit-forward core. On the expressive palate, bright underpinnings of acidity help accentuate and unfold the deeply layered fruit. Fine tannins create a lush mouthfeel. The parting impression we have of this Pinot is that of a dark-chocolate-covered cherry filled with liqueur. Take the time to linger over this wine — it has much to reveal!